Many think the BMW M3 is the original 1980s homologation special, but Automobile magazine's west coast editor Jason Cammisa reminds us that’s not the case on this episode of Head 2 Head. In fact, that now-classic BMW was made only because Mercedes-Benz made the 190E 2.3-16. So the Benz came first, but which one is cooler? Cammisa gives a quick history lesson and rekindles a classic European sports sedan battle at the Nurburgring.

The Benz's first race on the Grand Prix circuit was in 1984, when 20 identical 190E 2.3-1.6s were driven by F1 drivers. The winner was a newcomer named Ayrton Senna. In the end, the 190E broke three world and nine international speed records. This stirred things up in Munich, and BMW's answer to the 190E was the M3. At the time, there was nothing (including the Benz) that could beat it around the race track.In U.S.-spec form, both are powered by a 2.3-liter four-cylinder. While the M3 puts out 192 hp and 170 lb ft, the detuned-for-the-U.S. Mercedes makes 167 hp and 162 lb ft. But the Mercedes uses an engine was designed by Cosworth and, as Cammisa says, was over-engineered to the point of ridiculousness, like other Benz cars of the time.

Cammisa jumps into the Mercedes first, giving the four-banger's soundtrack a thumbs-up. In the more track-oriented M3, the potency of the engine causes the interior to shake and rumble, making it not as livable as the Benz. However, Cammisa says the M3's transmission is from the gods, while the Benz's shifter is awful.Which does Cammisa prefer? Watch the video below to find out.

I've driven both of these...in Germany. They were both stellar vehicles...
However, the e30 M3 still is and set a standard that has yet to be recaptured, to this day.
There is nothing like it. Driving it is bliss. It is a complete and total connection to the road. (My E30 M3 was a Hennah Rot, Hartge modified track car with a roll cage, dog leg trransmision, Billstein shocks, etc...)...best car I ever owned...and boy do I miss her.

I've never driven an E30 M3 but I did engage a black one in a long distance high speed run when it was new with my first modified fuel injected and also black 5.0 LX Mustang. He was dead even to about 125, at which point the 'Stang could put about a car length on him but it never could put him away. A '70's 911 that joined our high speed convoy had to back off after a few miles (in fairness, it was 100 degrees that day, which was probably not a good day for an extended run in the air cooled Porsche ). I've always had huge respect for the original M3, but desire a Euro Spec E36 M3 (or U.S. Spec with an E46 engine conversion) more since Beemers are best when equipped with the inline 6 (and the E36 M3 I drove in Germany would have gone taillight city on either my old four eyed Stang or the E30 M3) !!

I've owned the 325i E30 nd E190 2.6. Both very good autos. Both fun to drive. It just depends on how I'm feeling. E30 for racing through town, e190 one of the best for driving around enjoying life. 80s car have been so much fun at low speed. The E30 though will move. Again its all bout what kind of night I want.

I drive a Mercedes E190 2.3 16 a few days in Tenerife (Spain) and I can say it's a great car. Good acceleration, stability, quality, and an incredible strength with almost 400,000 kilometers (250,000 miles). In my opinion one of the best cars I have driven.